Fly Fishing Virginia

Fly Fishing in Central Virginia needs to be on every adventurer’s list. The same escarpment that delayed westward settlers in the 17th Century is also the reason cool, clear fisheries run east through the Piedmont.

Fishing in Virginia can be both challenging and bountiful. To wade in with confidence you’ll need a guide to find the best water and land the best fish. That’s where The Albemarle Angler comes in.

The Albemarle Angler offers exclusive guided fishing outings on six different private rivers. Each is stocked and managed. Five are within a one-hour drive of their shop. The Albemarle Angler guides can also take you to numerous public rivers and mountain streams for trout, small mouth and musky fly fishing. Their private water includes…

Wading Trips on area streams

Moormans River

This river is named after Charles Moorman, who settled along this 14.3-mile tributary of the South Fork of the Rivanna River in 1735, and Albemarle Angler holds a mile of prime water just west of White Hall. An easy 20 minutes west into the Blue Ridge.

Rose River

Originating near Hawksbill Mountain, the highest peak in Shenandoah National Park, the Rose River runs eastward thru boulders for 9 miles until it finds flatter ground to meander through Madison County. Here it joins the Robinson River. Its crystal clear, spring-fed waters – among the purest in Virginia – are rich in aquatic insects that foster brookies and trophy-sized trout. About 45 minutes from Charlottesville.

Rapidan River

Originating near Camp Hoover, Herbert Hoover’s 1929 retreat in Shenandoah National Park, the Rapidan is a tight, freestone gem that’s home to native brook trout, rainbows, and brown trout on the lower stretches. Casting beneath rhododendron thickets into plunge pools to catch-and-release piscatorial jewels in a setting that feels untouched is an experience every angler should have.

South River

There are two stretches of the South River, one that runs through Waynesboro which is public and holds trout, and a section that meanders through Greene County. It is here that the Albemarle Angler leases over a mile of river at the South River Preserve.  Nestled among fields and forests, this stretch boasts great scenery and fishing,  

Tye River

A destination for the Virginia Trout Slam (catching a brook, brown, and rainbow in the same day), the Tye is a freestone classic that flows through hemlock-shaded runs from the Blue Ridge Parkway to its confluence with the James River. Well below Crabtree Falls, the Albemarle Angler section is home to a number of pools and rifles and a dynamic angling experience

Cowpasture River

West from Charlottesville in Rockbridge and Bath counties, this tributary of the James River holds both stocked trout in the meadow-fringed runs of the upper river and smallmouth, sunfish, and muskies in the warmer, lower sections. Given the Cowpasture’s diversity of water and breadth, it offers some of the best “western style” fishing in the area.

Float Trips on regional streams

Lasting 6-8 hours from put-in to takeout, Albemarle Angler’s guided float trips  offer a combination of immersion into nature and skilful angling for a variety of native fish.

Wade trips can accommodate up to 12 anglers, and float trips can also accommodate up to 12 in drift boats.

Shenandoah River

Virginia’s “Daughter of the Stars” weaves 200 miles along limestone-fed bends through the Shenandoah Valley from Front Royal to Harper’s Ferry in what many consider to be a smallmouth bass paradise.

Maury River

A 40-mile tributary of the James River in Rockbridge County, the Maury offers scenic paddling and opportunistic angling for smallmouth bass.

James River

A moving fly-fishing safari takes you along the upper James between Buchanan and Arcadia to cast for smallmouth, largemouth, sunfish, gar, carp, catfish, and occasional  muskies or even stripers in the lower sections..

Jackson River (for trout)

A 14-mile coldwater release section below Gathright Dam, this Jackson River float offers one of the top fishing experiences in the East for stocked rainbow, brown, and brook trout. 

The Guides

The guides at Albemarle Angler are both personable and experienced. They excel in teaching the techniques of their local waters. They receive gold stars for their good manners and pleasant company. Their lunch spreads receive rave reviews. All guides believe in feeding the fish as well as the fishers.

Will Leggett

WIll is an Albemarle County native who began fishing as a boy who grew to appreciate the finer points of dry fly fishing. Teaching is his favorite aspect of the angling experience. “I love seeing my clients progress and ultimately achieve our objective of catching fish.” What’s his favorite fly pattern: Steve Dally’s Tiny Dancer

Adam Holt

Born and bred in Charlottesville, Albemarle Angler shop owner Adam Holt fell in love with fly fishing in Colorado on the Roaring Fork. What he relished in the Rocky Mountains transfers nicely to Virginia’s Blue Ridge and Alleghenies. Adam remembers well the large rainbow he and his daughter caught on local water. He believes the experience of fly fishing forms lifetime memories. His favorite fly pattern? The Parachute Adams of course!

Peter Hof

Peter is another Albemarle native revered for his patience and eloquence. Clients describe him as a “really-good teacher who caters to the individual and communicates in a way people can understand.” His colleagues admire his organization as well as a soothing Zen that he brings to his art. What’s Peter’s favorite fly pattern: Soft-Tackle Pheasant Tail.

Levi Hipp

Levi grew up along the Moormans River in Sugar Hollow and caught his first fish before he knew Santa Claus flew reindeer. He fondly remembers guiding a client to hook and land a trophy-size Smallmouth Bass while floating a tributary of The James.  Ever since, he’s sworn a dedication to repeating that experience for all his clients. Levi’s favorite favorite fly patternis the Boogle Bug, his magical smallmouth popper.

The Experience

Customers can expect an authentic outing in pursuit of sport fish endemic to Virginia under the guidance of experienced guides. Whether wading or floating, you can count on in-depth exposure to the ecology, fishing technique, and strategy.

Guides are experienced in teaching basic fishing techniques, including how to hold the rod, how to cast, how to select flies, and how to tie knots.

A gourmet lunch is provided for full- and half-day outings and included in the price.

Albemarle Angler guides will lead the trip according to the preferences of your group. Latitude for relaxation in the spirit of restoration along Virginia waterways may be custom-fitted. 

The Cost

Excursions can be made with 24-hours notice, although one week’s notice is preferred. 

Private Water Rod Fees

$65/rod half day

$90/rod full day

Guided Trips*

$250 half day for 1-2 people

$350 full day

*Prices include all equipment usage.